Shoelip said:
-snipped for space-
As far as I know, nothing has come close to this scale while maintaining this level of detail. At least from what I've seen from the video.
You reduce
Oblivion to its world map and "a few dungeons"?
I find that odd, considering that it's also full of instances. You can enter every building and dungeon in the game. Inside every one of those, is objects, special artworks, different architecture (which is even mentioned in lore about different towns - this spot has influence from Skyrim, this building has stairs influenced by Morrowind design, etc).
Then there's the books you find in-game, full of at least a serious book's worth of information and lore that is (so far, in all my understanding of the game) completely consistent with and constantly building upon the world you walk around in, so it feels like part of an even larger planet.
That's only the tip of the iceberg. Think of all the invisible elements going into AAA titles today. Texture design. Concept artworks. 3D modelling, inch by inch, measurement by measurement, of everything unique and different.
I don't believe that detail has to be measured in blocks in order to be notable in an artwork, or in the preparation for a design. There isn't even sound effects and music design in this
Minecraft project, and the amount of skill and detail in that alone in a AAA title is often staggering.
In any case, putting the same coloured block down a hundred thousand times does not a skilled design make. The detail isn't what is notable about this version of Middle-Earth - it's the pure dedication from those designing it even IF it takes putting down that same block again and again.
However, that dedication is not unique, and shouldn't be treated as unique on a whim. I think it's important to acknowledge the amazing work done on many AAA titles, for the sake of positivity and open-mindedness.
